Instructions were given to Colonel Ganinzi, the commander of the Gharyan military outpost, to move towards Mizda in order to chase the Senussis spreading in those areas and to put down the revolt of Libyans there.

On April 6, 1915, the Italians had reached Wadi Marsit and sent a vanguard for scouting to spot the Senussis.

However, they were stopped by their officers, who pointed their guns against them in an attempt to force them to face the Senussi, which caused infighting in the camp that lasted until late at night, during which Ganinzi was wounded and the command was given to Major Sartirana.

[2] The Major ordered a retreat to Mizda in the night; it wasn't long for the first hours of the new day that the remaining force were attacked by the Senussis, which caused further panic in the ranks.

[3] The battle of Wadi Marsit, alongside Battle of Gasr Bu Hadi, was a major victory for the Senussis and a major defeat for the Italians, which temporarily reversed their colonization of Libya and made them retreat towards their coastal colonies.